Aviano sergeant named DOD firefighter of the year

by Senior Airman Michael Battles
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/9/2014 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy  -- Last month, the Department of Defense named a 31st Civil Engineer Squadron technical sergeant as the 2014 DOD Firefighter of the Year.

On May 8, 2014, Tech. Sgt. Michael Nalley, 31st CES assistant chief of fire prevention, was notified of his selection as the top military firefighter in all five service branches.

"I was pretty shocked to I find out I received the award," Nalley said. "I never expected to receive this level of recognition. I just thought being a firefighter was cool."

As the assistant chief of fire prevention, Nalley facilitates the safety and preventative inspections for approximately 202 buildings at Aviano, as well as supports the needs of the local community. During inspections, he coordinates with building safety representatives to check fire alarms, circuits and plugs, sprinklers and overall safety of each building.

According to his leadership, Nalley stood out among his peers by becoming a multi-skilled NCO, recognized across the wing for his professional abilities, while also taking on additional taskings.

"Right now, sergeant Nalley is filling a position typically held by a SNCO," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Patterson, assistant fire chief. "Very few people can handle the job he is doing and do it well. I think having his background has helped him a lot in the career field."

Originally, Nalley served as a crew chief before cross-training over to a firefighter in 2005 as a staff sergeant. According to Nalley, along with being a cool job, he wants a career that would allow him to travel anywhere around the world.

"It's tough coming in late to the firefighter career field," Patterson said. "There is so much training and certifications that need to be done in the beginning, but he has completed it all plus more."

Other achievements that contributed to his selection included completion of his Community College of the Air Force degree and continued work toward a bachelors. Furthermore, Nalley participates and volunteers for numerous organizations including coaching multiple youth sports, mentorship programs and working events for the local community.

Earlier this year, Nalley was also named the United States Forces in Europe firefighter of the year in March and the Air Force-level in April.